How to Create Perfect Radial Shapes in Illustrator

One of our latest design packs that we just released contained 50 different styles of radial shapes. We received a good amount of feedback and questions on how we created them. In this tutorial, I will walk you through the creation process on how to effectively recreate some perfect radial shapes. Once you have completed this tutorial. I am sure you will be creating some amazing radial shapes to include in your designs.

Step 1:

Open up Illustrator and create a 3000 pt by 3000 pt document.

Step 2:

Next choose the Pen Tool.

Step 3:

Using the Pen Tool, draw a unique shape. Here is the shape I came up with. You can come up with any shape you prefer. I also incorporated some stars using the Star tool.

Step 4:

Using the Direct Selection Tool, select some of your shapes and change the color.

Step 5:

Select all of the shapes with the Selection Tool and go to Edit > Copy

Now deselect everything by clicking in a blank area of your artboard. Choose Edit > Paste in Front. This will create an exact duplicate of your shape. Now without deselecting the copy, use the right arrow key and move the shape over to the right. Give a good amount of space in between the two shapes.

Step 6:

Now go to Object > Transform > Reflect

Step 7:

Select Horizontal for your Axis to reflect and click on OK

Step 8:

Now go back to Object > Transform > Reflect and this time choose Vertical for your Axis to reflect and click on OK

Step 9:

Using the selection tool, select both of your shapes and go to Edit > Copy. Then go to Edit > Paste in Front

Finally go to Object > Transform > Rotate

Step 10:

This is where the fun starts. You can put in a simple division equation into the Angle box. I choose to put in 360/10. Then click OK

This will rotate both shapes 36 degrees.The reason I use the put in a division equation instead of 36 degrees is because it will create a perfect radial that will line up when you are finished.

If you are not happy with the preview, try a different angle.

Step 11:

Keyboard shortcuts come in very handy at this point. With the copied rotated copied shape still selected, press CTRL + C then CTRL + F then CTRL + D.

Step 17:

About the author

jeya

My name is Jeya and I am one of the founders of Media Militia. I enjoy writing new content and designing something fresh! I currently live in beautiful Reno, Nevada. If you have any ideas or comments, please send me an email at contact@mediamilitia.com.

Thanks for the tut, Jeya, but there is an easier and more controlled way of doing this: group the set that you want to copy; go to \Effect\Distort & Transform\Transform; change the rotate value to 36º, copies to 9 and anchor point to left-middle; check the preview option and voilá!

It is simple, easy and you can always double click on the group, edit it, and the changes will be reflected on the copies

and there is an even better better way…
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use the appearance palatte full function. just draw the half of anything you want reflect… all left point should be on one line. group/ transform reflect / another transform rotatet with copy…
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save the crap as a graphic style and you must not repeat this crap till your end of live. if you like to use this on things in a group with different colors so you have to create a graphic style which not affects the color and outline.
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hurray

Thanks for the tutorial it was really useful! Just a couple of questions – I am a complete beginner in Illustrator and I’m still getting used to using the pen tool. The only real shapes I was able to create to work with were triangles and flares (using the flare tool). Any tips on how to create cool shapes that would work well with these kinds of designs? Also any tips on using this technique to create kaleidoscope type visuals or Yantra style images? Thanks!

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